California Prison Industry Authority, Rehabilitation

CALPIA graduates earn job certifications at SCC

August 14, 2025

Sixty incarcerated individuals were awarded job certifications and/or apprenticeships from the California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA) during a July 11 ceremony at Sierra Conservation Center (SCC).

In partnership with CDCR, California Correctional Health Care Services, and the California Department of Industrial Relations, CALPIA recognized the graduates for their dedication and achievements.

CALPIA General Manager Bill Davidson — CALPIA GM Bill Davidson

“This day is all about you. You have chosen a path and followed through,” said CALPIA’s General Manager Bill Davidson. “Your job in a CALPIA program right now is the beginning of a career. It is a career that starts inside these walls and will continue when you return to your communities.”

CALPIA graduates received industry accredited certifications and/or apprenticeships in Healthcare Facilities Maintenance, Warehouse, and Fabric.

The industry accredited certifications help incarcerated individuals secure meaningful employment when returning to their communities.

Yesha Hill, chief deputy warden at SCC in Jamestown, speaks at a CALPIA graduation. — CDW Yesha Hill

SCC acting Chief Deputy Warden Yesha Hill attended the CALPIA graduation, delivering words of encouragement to the graduates.

“CALPIA is more than just job training,” said Hill. “It’s about rehabilitation, rebuilding purpose, restoring dignity, and opening doors to new opportunities. As you move forward in life remember that your past does not portray your potential, nor is it indicative of your future. Congratulations to you all.”

Speaking from personal experience

Tommy DeLuna, SCC CALPIA graduation speaker. — Tommy DeLuna

Tommy DeLuna, a CALPIA graduate, came back to prison to inspire others with his success story.

“It warms my heart to see individuals here doing great things and taking advantage of the opportunity they were given in a CALPIA program,” said DeLuna. “Even to this day, I still use the skills and lessons I learned in CALPIA.”

DeLuna graduated from CALPIA’s General Fabrication program. He is now an employment specialist for St. Vincent de Paul’s Exodus Project which offers mentoring and extensive resources to people coming out of incarceration.

“You are all going to be successful and achieve the goals and dreams that you set for yourself. Remember, when you’re given that chance, it’s your choice to do what you want with it,” added DeLuna.

The graduation concluded with a compelling message from Davidson who spoke directly to the graduates.

“My invitation to each of you is this. When you return home and rejoin your communities, choose to be part of the 85 percent who don’t come back,” he said.

A recent University of California, Irvine, recidivism study found that CALPIA participants have a 15 percent return to custody rate after three years, which means 85 percent of all CALPIA participants do not return to prison.

Submitted by Kendal Twilling, CALPIA associate government program analyst